Tablet arm attachment for folding chairs



March 6, 1962 J. D. EVES ETAL. 3,024,065

TABLET ARM ATTACHMENT FOR FOLDING CHAIRS Filed Jan. 7, 1959 4Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.

BYMJQWMM March 6, 1962 J. D. EVES ETAL 3,024,065

TABLET ARM ATTACHMENT FOR FOLDING CHAIRS Filed Jan. 7, 1959 4Sheets-$heet 2 BY 75% JMW March 6, 1962 J. D. EVES ETAL 3,024,065

TABLET ARM ATTACHMENT FOR FOLDING CHAIRS Filed Jan. 7, 1959 4Sheets-Sheet 3 nrmmv March 6, 1962 J. D. EVES ETAL 3,024,055

TABLET ARM ATTACHMENT FOR FOLDING CHAIRS Filed Jan. 7, 1959 4Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. /5 FIG. /6

F I6. I

INVENTORS. JDA/A/ 0. [1/55 BY m 3,624,065 Patented Mar. 6, 19623,024,065 TABLET ARM ATTACHMENT FOR FQLDING CHAIRS John D. Eves andKenneth A. Terpening, Cortland, N.Y.,

assignors to The Brcwer-Titchencr Corporation, Cortland, N.Y., acorporation of New York Filed Jan. 7, 1959, Ser. No. 785,368 4 Claims.(Cl. 297-162) This invention relates to folding chairs and, moreparticularly, to folding chairs having a tablet arm attachment forwriting purposes in classrooms and the like.

An object of this invention is to provide such chairs with an improvedtablet arm attachment which is adapted to be independently collapsedwithout folding the mounting chair, as well as being adapted to assume afully collapsed and an approximate coplanar relationship with respect toa completely collapsed or folded chair to thereby enhance theversatility and storage of such chairs.

Another object is to provide a folding chair construction having animproved tablet arm attachment which may be moved from an inoperative orcollapsed position at one side of the chair, at which position an individual is permitted more complete access to the seat. of the chair, toan operative extended position over the seat for writing or othersimilar purposes.

A further object is to provide a folding chair with an improved tabletarm attachment which is of simple construction, less expensive tomanufacture, and advantageously and conveniently operable underpractically all contemplated conditions of use, as well as storagewithout afiecting the proper and desired functioning of the chairs.

In general, the present invention comprises a tablet arm attachmentmounted on a folding chair in such a manner that it can be shiftedbetween an operative horizontal position and a collapsed positionextending downwardly to thereby afford access to the chair seat. Thetablet arm attachment includes a tablet arm which is supported by acollapsible or foldable frame assembly which, in turn, is coupled withthe foldable chair. A channel of this frame assembly is disposed beneaththe tablet arm and is pivotally connected to the undersurface thereof insuch a manner that the tablet arm may be laterally tilted. A pair oftubular members are operatively associated with the channel, with one ofthese members being rotatably mounted on the back-rest of the chairwhile the other tubular member is rotatably mounted on a cross-barextending between the front supporting legs of the chair. A slottedconnection between the channel and one of the tubular members permitsrelative displacement of these parts in response to the collapsing ofthe tablet arm attachment. A latch assembly releasably secures thistubular member with respect to the channel to thereby maintain thetablet arm attachment in its operative position with the tablet armextending forwardly over the seat of the chair. When the tablet armattachment is collapsed and the mounting chair is in a folded condition,the tablet arm may then be turned with respect to the channel to therebybe ultimately substantially coplanar with the completely collapsed chairand approximately in this relative position with respect to theremaining parts of the tablet arm attachment.

Other objects and advantages Will become apparent from the followingdetailed description which is to be taken in conjunction with theattached sheets of drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of theinvention, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a folding chair and tablet armattachment, both of which are in an operative position;

FIG. 2 is a similar view with the tablet arm tilted with respect to themounting channel of the collapsible frame assembly of the attachment;

FIG. 3 is, likewise, similar to FIG. 1, with the tablet arm attachmentin its folded or collapsed position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the chair and attachment, both of whichare in a collapsed position and in substantially coplanar relationshipwith one another;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the chair and attachment of FIG. 4 andillustrates that relationship when observed from a different direction;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of the chair and tablet arm,both of which are illustrated in an operative position with certainparts broken away and removed;

FIGS. 7-9 are stick representations of sequential and selected positionsof the folding chair and tablet arm attachment, which illustrationsserve to more clearly demonstrate the relative movement of the variousassemblies and their individual components;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the forward major sector ofthe tablet arm and its relationship with respect to the associated partsof the collapsible frame assembly of the attachment;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line 1111 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line 12-12 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is an illustration taken along the line 1313 of FIG. 12 in thedirection of the arrows;

FIG. 14 is a similar view with the latch means in its released position;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 15l5 ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along the line 16- -16 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 1717 ofFIG. 6; and

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along the line 1818 of FIG. 17.

Reference is now made to the construction of the folding chair 10, whichis adapted to assume an unfolded operative position simulating thatillustrated in FIG 1, from the folded or collapsed position of FIG. 4.In this connection, a back-rest 12 is pivotally associated with a seat14 through means including a handle bar 16, which, in turn, additionallyserves as a handle for carrying the chair 10 when in its foldedcondition. The back-rest 12 has pivotally connected thereto a pair offront supporting legs 18 and 20 which terminate at their lower ends inthe usual feet 22 which may be formed from suitable resinous material.Seat 14, on the other hand, has pivotally connected thereto a pair ofrear supporting legs 24 and 26 which similarly include the usual plasticfeet 28.

The supporting legs 18 and 24 are pivotally connected to one anotherintermediate their ends, whereas supporting legs 20 and 26 are similarlyconnected to one another intermediate their ends. Cross-bars or braces34) and 32 extend between and are rigidly connected to supporting legs13 and 20 for purposes of cooperating to maintain the desiredspaced-apart relationship of the chair supporting legs in addition totheir other functions. An additional cross-bar 34 is similarly connectedto the supporting legs 24 and 26. In an effort to secure the properinterrelationship of parts as well as distribution of stresses andstrains, a pair of bearing brackets 36 and 38 are secured to theundersurface of seat '14 and are adapted to engage front supporting legs'18 and 20, respectively, when the chair 10 is in its unfolded,operative condition. For a more detailed disclosure of a folding chairof substantially similar construction, reference should be made 3 toapplication serial Number 742,356 filed June 16, 1958 having a commonassignee.

The tablet arm attachment 40 comprises a tablet arm 42 and a collapsibleframe assembly 44. The tablet arm 42 assumes the usual configuration,which includes the enlarged writing surface 46 and arm rest 48.Furthermore, the tablet arm 42 may be formed from plywood having theproper number of plies. A decorative plastic laminate 50 may also beapplied to the upper face of the tablet arm 42; and similarly, ifdesired, a suitable backing sheet 52 may be laminated to theundersurface thereof.

A mounting plate 54 is attached to the bottom-face of the tablet arm 42by the necessary number of fasteners 56 which extend through preformedholes in the plate. Mounting plate 54 has a pair of depending and boredflanges 58 and 60 at its terminal ends as well as a laterally extendingreinforcing leg 61.

The tablet arm 4-2, through mounting plate 54 is tiltable with respectto the frame assembly 44 by being pivotally mounted on a channel 62. Inthis connection, channel 62 may include a base 64 with integrallyextending legs 66 and '68. The leg 66 has a pair of laterally extendingand suitably bored flanges 70 and 72. These flanges are adapted to beinterposed between flanges 58 and 60 of the mounting plate 54 and arecoupled therewith at the rear end by means of rivet 74 and interposedwasher 76, and at the forward end by a nut and bolt assembly 78 with aninterposed friction washer 80. Thus, the mounting plate 54 is pivotallymounted on the channel 62 to thereby permit the tablet arm 42 to betilted to a vertical position with respect to the horizontal from itsnormal substantially horizontal position. The ease at which the tabletarm 42 may be tilted can be regulated by either increasing or decreasingthe friction created by washer 80 by means of the nut of the nut andbolt assembly 78 as the conditions may require.

As will be observed in FIG. 12, the tablet arm 42 will be prevented fromshifting past its proper vertical position by the ultimate abutting offlanges 58 and 60 with outer surfaces of leg 66 in a stop relationshipto thusly prevent further tilting. The reverse movement of the tabletarm 42 is limited by its ultimate bearing relationship with base 64 ofchannel 62 whereby this tablet arm 42 will conveniently assume itsdesired horizontal writing position.

The legs 66 and 68 of channel 62 each include longitudinally extendingslots 82 and 84, respectively. The slots 82 and 84 are adapted toreceive a bearing pin 86 having enlarged heads at its terminal ends toprevent it from being removed or disassociated from the slots while, atthe same time, permitting it to travel freely within the slots.

The displacement of pin 86 within slots 82 and 84 is restricted undercertain conditions by latch 88 which is pivotally mounted on leg 68 ofchannel 62 by means of pin 90. The pivotal displacement of latch 88 withrespect to this leg 68 is limited by a stop pin 92 which extends fromleg 68 into an arcuate slot 94 formed in latch 88. The latch 88additionally includes a latch opening 96, the forming surfaces thereofbeing adapted to engage the associated head of bearing pin 86. The latch88 further includes a beveled camming edge 98 to induce latch 88 torotate about pin 90 in response to its engagement with the bearing pin86 as the latter is moved in a direction towards the rear of themounting chair 10. A transverse flange 100 extends from latch 88 andserves to present a finger engaging surface to pivot latch 88 in aclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 13, to unlatch the engaged pin 86to permit the latters displacement in a forward direction. This flange100 additionally serves to increase the bearing area on which theundersurface of tablet arm 42 rests when the latter is in its horizontalwriting position.

The pin 86, interiorly of the channel 62, is mounted by a lower supportstrut 102, which may be fabricated from tubular stock. The lower supporttube 102 may include a suitably located bend 104 to facilitate theproper transmission of stresses from the bearing pin 86 as a result ofloads acting upon the upper face of the tablet arm 42. The lower supporttube 102 includes a further bend 106 so that the other end of this tubewill extend beneath the chair seat 14 and be advantageously rotatablymounted by a lower support bracket 108. This lower support bracket 108is suitably secured to the chair cross-bar 32, such as by welding. Thelongitudinal movement of the lower support tube 102 within bracket 108is prevented by expandible rivets 1'10 and 112 which may mount suitablewashers for this purpose. A plug 114 may be inserted into the terminalend of the lower support tube in an effort to minimize sharp edges.

An upper support tube 116 is anchored within channel 62, as for exampleby welding, and includes a bend 118 for the purpose of convenientlylocating the other end of upper support tube 116 behind the chairback-rest 12. This end of the upper supoprt tube 116 is rotatablymounted within an upper support bracket 120 which, in turn, is securedto the rear of the back-rest 12. A plug 122 may be placed within theexposed terminal end of the upper support tube 116, again in an attemptto decrease the number of sharp edges.

When it is desired to collapse the tablet arm attachment from itsoperative position, with the chair 10 likewise in an operative, unfoldedcondition as illustrated in FIG. 1, the tablet arm 42 is tiltedvertically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, to obtain access to the latch 88which otherwise will be prevented from being released to free bearingpin 86 as long as the tablet arm 42 is in its operative horizontalposition. The flange 100 of latch 88 may then be engaged to force thelatch to pivot about its mounting pin 90 to thereby free bearing pin 86from the notch 96. Thus, from the stick representation illustrated inFIG. 7, the frame assembly 44 will collapse under its own weight in themanner illustrated in FIG. 8, with the bearing pin 86 riding in slots 82and 84 of channel 62. As the tablet arm attachment is thus collapsed,the lower support tube 102 and upper support tube 116 will rotate withintheir respective mounting brackets 108 and 120.

The tablet arm attachment 40 will then assume a fully collapsedposition, simulating that illustrated in FIG. 3, with respect to theunfolded chair 10. In this position the tablet arm attachment 40 willextend downwardly at an angle with respect to the horizontal and therebyprovide access to the seat 14 of chair 10 without substantiallyencountering any difliculty. The collapsing of the tablet arm attachment40 is limited by the engagement of bearing pin 86 with the forward endsof the slots 82 and 84. A plug 124 may be mounted on the interior faceof a downwardly projecting flange 126 to soften any impact of lowersupport tube 102 as well as bearing pin 86 with metal surfaces that theymay encounter when the tablet arm attachment is folded to its completelycollapsed position.

When it is desired to collapse the chair 10, the backrest 12 is pivotedtowards the chair seat 14 while grasping handle 16. An intermediatestage of this folding operation is illustrated by means of the stickview of FIG. 9 with the fully collapsed position of chair 10 illustratedin FIGS. 4 and 5. To render the various parts coplanar to facilitatestorage of the chair 10 with tablet arm attachment 40, the tablet arm 42is pivoted to return it into bearing relationship with respect to base64 of channel 62 and flange of latch 88. Thus, inthe completelycollapsed position of the chair 10 and attachment 40, as illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, the procedure and steps are simply reversed to effect theunfolding of chair 10 and subsequent unfolding of tablet arm attachment40 to their respective operative positions.

Thus the aforenoted objects and advantages are most effectivelyattained. Although a single preferred embodiment is illustrated, theinvention is not to be limited thereby and it is intended that the scopethereof be defined by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. The combination with a folding chair having a back rest and a pair offront legs connected to said back rest, of a tablet arm attachmentincluding a tablet arm which extends forwardly of said chair, and acollapsible frame assembly supporting said tablet arm and pivotal onsaid chair between an unfolded position extending said tablet armforwardly of said chair and a collapsed position extending said tabletarm substantially downwardly with respect to said chair, said tablet armbeing tiltable-when said frame assembly is in its unfoldedposition-between a substantially horizontal position and a substantiallyvertical position, said frame assembly comprising a support memberpivotally mounting said tablet arm so that said tablet arm is tiltablebetween a substantially horizontal position and a substantially verticalposition, an arm extending integrally from said support member andpivotally mounted on said back rest about a fixed axis of rotation suchthat said frame assembly is permitted to fold from said unfoldedposition to said collapsed position, a strut for receiving a majorportion of stresses transmitted through said tablet arm resulting fromloads placed thereon, one end of said strut being pivotally mounted bysaid pair of front legs and the other end being pivoted to saidsupporting member while being slidably coupled therewith, latch meansfor releasably holding said tablet arm in an extended position forwardlyof said chair with said latch means being adapted to be released tothereby release said tablet arm from said extended position only upontilting said tablet arm from said substantially horizontal position,said latch means being pivoted to said support member and adapted toreleasably hold said other end of said strut with respect to' saidsupport member, said latch means being disposed beneath said tablet armwhen said tablet arm is in a substantially horizontal position.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said latch means isdisposed immediately below said tablet arm when said tablet arm is insaid substantially horizontal position and releasably holds said otherend of said strut, said latch means prevented from being released whensaid tablet arm is in said substantially horizontal position andpermitted to be released only upon tilting said tablet arm between saidsubstantially horizontal position and substantially vertical position.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said support memberis a slotted channel on which said tablet arm is adapted to rest and towhich said tablet arm is pivotally mounted and said'tablet arm andchannel presenting stop means for preventing tilting of said tablet armbeyond said horizontal position and vertical position.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 1, wherein said support memberincludes a slot, a pin extends from said other end of said strut intosaid slot, and said latch means includes a latch pivotally mounted onsaid support member for releasably holding said pin so as to retain saidtablet arm at an extended position forwardly of said chair.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS188,414 Rohde Mar. 13, 1877 534,469 Demarest Feb. 19, 1895 1,184,679Hetzner May 23, 1916 1,864,750 Moore June 28, 1932 2,675,062 Clarin Apr.13, 1954 2,725,924 Spencer Dec. 6, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 762,287 GreatBritain Nov. 28, 1956

